How did you get talked into taking this job? she asked.
I guided Thom on a climbing trip last year. He thought I was the right man for the job.
She laughed softly. I can imagine, Serena murmured. Thom was a crafty sort, she mused. He could have sent some gruff, middle-aged security sort, but instead, hed sent someone young and hot, the kind that her four single bridesmaids would find irresistible. Youre going to be the hit of the party.
Serena reached out and grabbed his glass from the table in front of him, draining the last bit of whiskey and water from the bottom. Ill get you another, she said.
Im fine, Ryan replied.
Im not, Serena said.
She crawled out of her seat and made her way to the small galley near the cockpit door. After she filled two tumblers with ice, she grabbed the whiskey bottle and returned to her seat next to Ryan.
So, why dont you tell me all about yourself, Serena said, pouring him a glass.
He pointed to the whiskey, filled to the brim. Are you trying to get me pissed?
Its a long flight. We have a lot of time to kill. And Ill get bored if you dont tell me some interesting stories. Im just getting you relaxed.
Im always relaxed, he said.
Lucky you, she said. I never am.
He pushed the glass in her direction. Why dont you drink it, then?
Shed already had too much champagne and was beginning to feel the effects of a hangover. But she picked up the glass and took a sip, then set it down. Serenas gaze met his, and for a long moment, she couldnt look away. Would she be so attracted to him if she loved Ben? Her heart said no, but there was so much riding on this wedding now, she had to be sure. Letting her impulsive nature take over, she leaned forward and kissed him.
It wasnt a passionate kiss. Nor was it platonic. It existed in the strange space in between. She drew back, her face warming with embarrassment. Thankfully, Ryan didnt seem to be offended by her brazen nature.
Sorry, she said.
For what?
I just... she murmured. I couldnt help myself.
Arent you supposed to be engaged? he asked.
Yes, Serena said, frowning. I am. Dont you think it odd that Id feel the urge to kiss you?
I cant say. Do you usually kiss men you barely know?
Serena nodded. All the time. I mean, I do on-screen. Thats part of the job. But youre not... She sank back into the seat. She had her answer. She hadnt just enjoyed the kiss, she was desperate to kiss him again. And she didnt want to stop there. She imagined tearing off his shirt and touching his body, kissing him in places that only she could discover.
She reached for the whiskey and took a big gulp, wincing as the liquor burned a path down her throat.
I always wondered how that worked, Ryan said. How do you kiss someone when its just for show?
Are you asking if I get turned on?
He shrugged. I would think that would be one of the dangers.
Thats why so many actors end up together after theyve worked on a film. At some point, the kissing starts to feel real.
Is that what happened with you and...
Ben, she said. Ben Thayer.
Right. Ben.
I suppose thats how it started. He was a really good kisser. And I got a bit swept away. But shed never felt quite so infatuated as she was feeling now, sitting next to Ryan Quinn and imagining the next kiss they might share.
I dont expect hed be happy that you kissed me.
Hmm. She smiled at him. I suppose not. If you dont tell, I wont, either. Well just make it our little secret. She needed time and space to be able to figure out what all this meant, and right now she had neither.
Secrets can be very dangerous, Ryan said.
Serena took another sip of the whiskey, then handed him the glass. Tell me one of your secrets, she said. As an actor, Ive become quite keen at observation. And I believe youre the kind of man who keeps his secrets buried very deep.
What you see is what you get, Ryan said with a shrug. He gave her a sideways glance, then shook his head. Im not here for your amusement.
Of course not, she replied.
And I wont make you do anything you dont want to do.
Thank you. She picked up the glass, then got to her feet. I think were going to have a lot of fun this week. If I were you, Quinn, Id get some sleep. I intend to keep you very busy.
Serena wandered back to her seat. Miles gave her a suspicious look as she passed him, and she rolled her eyes. I was just being friendly.
But when shed settled into her own spot, she closed her eyes and sighed. She couldnt seem to put the memories of her kiss with Ryan Quinn out of her mind. Even now, her heart was still beating a bit faster than normal, and her breathing had grown shallow and short.
Her gaze dropped to the six-carat diamond ring that sparkled on her finger. She was due to walk down the aisle in just a few weeks. Everything was planned. Two hundred and fifty guests had all received their invitations. And yet she wasnt thinking about the man waiting for her at home in Los Angeles. Instead, she was obsessing over the man sitting just a few feet away.
It was proof that she didnt love Ben. But then, shed never really believed in true love, anyway, so what had changed? When it came down to it, was one kiss reason enough to destroy her chance at happiness? Get a grip, she muttered to herself. Ryan was a distraction. Ben was the man she intended to marry.
* * *
A BRIGHTLY PAINTED VAN and a Peugeot sedan were waiting for them when the Learjet landed in Nadi, on the island of Viti Levu. They taxied to stop near a well-lit hangar, and Miles and Ryan helped the ladies gather their luggage and fill out their customs and immigration forms for the waiting official. When they were cleared, the girls stumbled into the van, still half-asleep.
Please tell me were finally here, one of the women cried.
Youre here, Ryan said.
He glanced at Serena, and she smiled warmly before disappearing into the van.
Miles and Ryan decided to ride in the sedan, chauffeured by a smiling Fijian. He held out his hand as they approached. I am Arthur Cawaru. I manage the house at Bellavista.
Ryan shook his hand. Im Ryan Quinn. Thom said youd be able to help me out with the arrangements.
I am at your service, Mr. Quinn.
Miles introduced himself to Arthur and they got into the rear seat of the car. Though the sun wasnt up yet, the eastern sky had begun to change from black to a deep blue, and the stars had started to fade. They drove on narrow, winding roads that hugged the coast, the South Pacific on one side and lush, tropical vegetation on the other.
Ryan chuckled softly. This is bloody brilliant.
Brilliant?
Look at us. Someone is paying us to hang out in this tropical paradise with five beautiful women. Its like we won the lottery.
I wouldnt jump the gun on that, Miles said.
Ryan glanced over at him. What do you mean?
You dont know Serena. She can be...a handful. Shes gorgeous and talented. But shes also mercurial and stubborn. And moody and demanding. One moment she seems smarter than any woman youve ever met, and then shell do something that defies common sense, and you wonder how she can be so clueless. If she werent so damn beautiful and good at what she does, she wouldnt get work.
Ryan glanced over at him. What do you mean?
You dont know Serena. She can be...a handful. Shes gorgeous and talented. But shes also mercurial and stubborn. And moody and demanding. One moment she seems smarter than any woman youve ever met, and then shell do something that defies common sense, and you wonder how she can be so clueless. If she werent so damn beautiful and good at what she does, she wouldnt get work.
She cant be that bad, Ryan said.
Shes got lots of baggage, Miles murmured. Just dont get caught up in the fantasy. Shes nothing like she is on the screen.
Ive never seen her movies.
Miles stared at him in disbelief. Never?
Was that part of the job?
No. Maybe its for the best. You wont be captivated by her.
Ryan chuckled softly. It was too late for that, he mused. Hey, Im always a professional, and I made a promise to Mr. Perry. No worries there.
Shes a professional, too, Miles said. Shes an actress and a good one. So take everything she says with a grain of salt.
The rest of the ride passed in silence. Ryan found it difficult to reconcile the woman Miles was talking about with the woman hed met on the plane. Hed found Serena sweet and charming and vulnerable. And yet to hear Miles tell it, Serena Hightower was trouble. For Miles, anything that interfered with the box office profits of Thom Perrys latest movie would be cause for concern. To both Miles and Thom, Serena was a commodity, an investment that would pay off only if she behaved to their standards.
The sedan turned off the main road, and after a few minutes, they drove through a tall gate. A moment later, a sprawling mansion appeared out of the dark, the white exterior lit by floodlights. Crikey, Ryan murmured. This is a bit more posh than the tents I usually sleep in.
We thought it might be better if Ms. Hightower and her party stayed at a private villa instead of a resort, Miles explained. That way we can control the environment.
What do you expect theyll be doing? Pillaging the villages? Stealing cars and raping the menfolk?
Its always best to expect the worst, Miles said.
The vehicles pulled around the large circular drive and stopped at the grand entrance to the house. Ryan hopped out and Miles followed him. A Fijian woman appeared at the door with a tray of drinks, each decorated with a fresh flower.
Welcome to Bellavista, Arthur said in his booming voice. This is my wife, Juni. House cook. She will bring you anything you would like to eat.
Juni handed them each a glass. Wonderful, Miles muttered. More alcohol.
Fruit juice, Juni whispered, with ginseng. Good for jet lag.
The girls walked into the house, one by one, sipping at their drinks. When they were all inside, Ryan followed. He introduced himself to Juni, then trailed after Miles, slowly turning as he took in the luxurious interior. Nice crib, he murmured to himself.
Thom bought it five years ago, Miles commented.
Thom owns this?
Yeah. Hes got a château in France, a condo in New York, a beach house in L.A., a mansion in Beverly Hills and a place in Aspen. And this. Strange thing is, he hardly has time to vacation. I dont think hes been here in two or three years. But its a handy place to stash the occasional detoxing actor or actress. Very private. Virtually no media presence on the island.
Mr. Quinn, your room is this way, Arthur said. Mr. DuMont, please follow Juni. Youre in the other wing.
Arthur reached for Ryans bag, but he shook his head. Ive got it.
This way.
His room was airy and spacious, the windows covered with large floor-to-ceiling shutters. Ryan tossed his gear on the bed, then threw open the shutters and walked out onto a wide terrace that overlooked the ocean. It was still dark, but the sound of the surf filled the air.
I love the way it smells here. What is that? I cant place the scent.
Ryan turned to the right and found Serena sitting on the stone wall nearby, staring out at the eastern horizon. She had the room right next to his.
Frangipani, I think, Ryan replied. Theyre most fragrant at night. They dont have nectar, but they use their scent to trick moths into pollinating them. The poor moth does all the work for no reward.
Well, Im impressed.
My mother has been trying to grow frangipani for years without any success. He decided a change of subject was in order. I figured youd crawl right into bed. Its been a long trip.
She smiled. No. I can sleep later. I wanted to watch the sunrise. She pointed out at the water. Look. Its about to happen.
A tiny sliver of red light appeared over the water and they both stared at it. Though they were standing a fair distance away from each other, Ryan felt oddly close to her, as if theyd discovered a connection between them.
As the sun crept higher, it painted the clouds in a blaze of purple and orange. Ryan had seen a lot of sunrises in a lot of beautiful places, but this one was different. He felt as if he couldnt breathe, as if his senses had suddenly cleared and his mind had sharpened. He should have been exhausted, but instead, he was energized.
Do you ever wonder if youre living someone elses life? she asked.
Ryan frowned, then turned and braced his hip against the wall. Yeah. Sometimes.
It was as if she could read his mind. Hed been feeling like that a lot latelyas if he was living his fathers life, or maybe his brothers. He was tired of doing things just to please them. But while hed like to hope he might open that surf school one day, Ryan could barely support himself on what he made. And despite his refusal to join them on the Everest expedition, he couldnt abandon his brothers when they needed him.
I dont know howor whenI lost control of my own life, Serena continued. Im not sure I ever even had it. God, Im tired of pretending.
He heard the exhaustion in her voice and he wanted to go to her and comfort her in some way. But he knew better than to touch her again. Isnt that what an actor does for a living? Ryan asked.
When the camera is on. But I pretend to be someone Im not even when the camera is off. She swung her legs around and jumped off the wall onto the terrace. This isnt what you signed on for, is it? Listening to me moan about how horrible my life is.
Usually Im worried about my clients tumbling down the side of a mountain or falling into a crevasse. I think I can manage listening to your problems.
Serena nodded. Yes, youre the kind of man who can handle just about anything, arent you? You seem very...competent. She walked over to him, then looked up to meet his gaze. Im sorry about the kiss. I was justI dont know. I shouldnt have done that.
Ryan knew he should be sorry, too. He hated people who didnt take their promises seriously. But as his gaze drifted down to her lips he found that he wanted to kiss her again, to drag her into his arms and see where it all might lead. It didnt even matter that she was supposed to walk down the aisle in less than a month.
Besides being engaged, she was also completely out of his league, Ryan mused. Guys like him didnt date movie stars. Hey, I can go home and tell everyone I kissed Serena Hightower. Not that Ill tell anyone. I wont. But, occasionally, I might think about it. The kiss, not telling people about it.